Downs are generally treeless ranges of gently sloping hills. The name is used especially in England. Downs are mainly used for grazing livestock. The North and South Downs of southeastern England are chalk uplands. The North Downs start near Reigate, in Surrey. They extend generally eastward, through Surrey and Kent, reaching the coast around Dover and Folkestone. The South Downs begin near Petersfield, in Hampshire. They run close to the Sussex coast, meeting the sea at Beachy Head.
In 2010, the South Downs received national park status. Unlike many parks, the area is densely inhabited and heavily farmed. By establishing a national park in the South Downs, the United Kingdom hopes to provide better protection for the area’s wildlife and the beauty of its landscape.
